The Latest: Johnson disappointed in new health bill

MADISON, Wis. — The Latest on Sen. Ron Johnson's position on the Senate health care overhaul bill (all times local):

11:10 a.m.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson plans to vote to start debate on the Senate health care overhaul bill but it doesn't sound as if he likes the bill itself.

Johnson had been among a group of GOP senators who said they couldn't vote for the bill. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a revised version Thursday aimed at winning support by letting insurers sell low-cost, skimpy policies and adding billions to combat opioids and help consumers with insurance costs.

Johnson said during a radio interview on WHBY Friday that he will support a motion to start debate on the new bill next week but he's disappointed that it doesn't do enough to address rising premium costs.

Johnson spokesman Ben Voekel declined to comment on Johnson's position beyond what the senator told the radio station.

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10:22 a.m.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says he plans to vote next week to start debate on the Senate's health care bill.

Johnson had been among a group of GOP senators who said they couldn't vote for the bill. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a revised version Thursday aimed at winning support by letting insurers sell low-cost, skimpy policies and adding billions to combat opioids and help consumers with insurance costs.

Johnson spokesman Ben Voekel told the Wisconsin State Journal (http://bit.ly/2v04taJ ) that Johnson now plans to vote for a motion to start debate next week on the new version of the bill. Voekel declined to say if Johnson would vote for the bill itself.

Voekel didn't immediately reply to an Associated Press email asking about Johnson's position on the bill.